New Year’s Career Introspective
I guess it’s time to start looking at what we should be thinking about the new year.
John Epperheimer had a nice little self evaluation article. The on-line version was a little different than the print article, which I have scanned for posterity. This got me to thinking about a lot of things.
I think that taking stock of one’s career, especially when you have less than 10 years of experience is always worthwhile. Ambition should drive young professionals… until said ambition goes and burns them out. 
Personally, your boss has a lot to do with how you develop early in your career. I think I’ve had the great fortune to have very supportive bosses from day 1 of my career. They’ve always wanted to make sure I had a path to grow and never felt that they’ve held me back doing anything.
As a manager myself, I’ve tried to carry that same thought going forward.
- A manager does not tell his reports what to do. A manager works for them, ensuring they succeed.
- The most important thing to do is to put all reports in a position where they will eventually take your job and do it better than you.
- It’s just like being a parent. You want your children to be better than you, so should the people who report to you.
- Your measure as a manager (leader) should be the success of the individuals and teams that you supervise.
- This is starting to sound a lot like coaching… and it is…
